Spring contact for flash lights



Dec. 28, 1926. 1,612,538

J. L. SHANNON 7.

SPRING CONTACT FOR FLASH LIGHTS Filed March 50, 1926 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 28 1926.

UNITED isTA EfS JAMES L. sHANnoN, or srRInG'FIEL-D, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPRING "CONTACT FOR FLASH LIGHTS.

Application fi1e'd March'30, 1926. Serial 31099 8364.

This invention relates "to improvements in flashlight constructions andparticularly to that part of the light which pertains -'.to the mountingof the bulb, and the cushion 5 contact construction between one terminalof the battery and the terminal of the lamp.

An object of the invention is to provide a cushioning device between thelamp 'termina l and the battery terminal for the purpose of preventingthe breakage of 'the lamp when the battery is inserted or accidentlydropped into the casing. Hereto'i'ore breakages of the bulb often occurwhen the battery is inserted or should the lamp be accidentally dropped.

Aiurther object of the invention is to provide a structure for attachingthe yieldable or cushioning contact member of a cup shaped member, whichcarries the bulb in order that the battery cushioning member may beretained in place. This construction broadly comprises a rectangularshaped opening in the bottom of the cup shaped member to receive acorrespondingly shaped rivet which passes through insulating washershaving rectangular shaped openings and a rectangular shaped opening inthe cushioning member whereby when the rivet is headed over allpossibility Oftl1 cushioning device becoming misplaced is thoroughlyprevented.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a detail sectional view of oneend o'i a flashlight showing thebulb, "the cup shaped member for receiving the socket for the'bulb, thecushioning device which is attached to the'bottom ofthe cup shapedmember and with which one terminal of the battery contacts, also thelens and the deflecto'r member. 7

Fig 2 is a bottom plan view of the cup shaped member removed from thebattery casing part of the lamp showing the rec- 'tangular shaped rivetconstruction which secures he cushioning contact device to the member.

Fig. 3 is atop plan view of the inside of the cup shaped member and thesocket for receiving the bulb and the inner end of the riveting device.

Fig. 4 is-a sectional view of thecup shaped member through therectangular rivet openmg.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the lamp socket which is located in anopening of the cup shaped member.

shaped member.

iFig. 6' is a sectional view of the ring of insulating material whichfits :over the :1 amp socket.

Fig. f? is a detail view of the'contact'spring which is attached to thebottom of :the cup for forming a cushion and terminal support for thebattery.

8 is a "detail view of one of the washers of insulating material withthe we 6 tan'gular shaped opening.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of-the rivet, and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a modification.

Referring tothe drawings "in detail:

1 designates the barrel or easing portion o'f the flash light which is.usually composed of suitable insulating material as hard fiber. 2designates the battery having the :terminal 3. :Located onthBOHtBFQIlCl'Of the casing a cup shaped member 4: "having the bottomportion 5, the side .portion =6 and flange 7,

the flange 7 rests upon the outer end of the casing 1 and the reflector8 which is'of metal rests upon the flange =7 whereby an electric 0contact is :provided through the cup shaped member 4-. to'the groundor-other terminal'ot the battery. The other terminal of the bat terybeing indicated at'3. 11 designates a V-shaped or "bent contact piece ofphosphor 8 spring bronze having a rectangular opening 12 and a bentor'ofl set .portion 13 and recess 18 with which 'theterminal 3 of thebattery Qengages, as shown in Fig. 1. The bottom 5 of the cup shapedmember 4 is formed with a rectangular shaped opening 14:. 15 are the twowashers of insulating material that are located on the opposite sides ofthe bottom part ofthe metallic cup These washers are also formed with arectangular shaped opening 16. 17 designatesa rectangular shapedmetallic rivet which is passed through the rectangular shaped-openingsust referred to,

whereby when the parts and the rivet are assembled and the rivet headedover the member ll-said parts will beprevented from turning or becomingdisplaced relative to the axis of-the casing. 18 designatesa sleeve orwasher member of insulating material TVlllCll 1s slipped'over-the metalsocket 9 and within the neck 'portion '19 of the refiector 8. "When the-battery 2 is inserted the ter- -minal 3 engages the springcontact'strip 13,

and being of elastic or springy material it absorbs or cushions the fallof the battery thus preventing the breakage of the electric bulb 20which is often the case in the present flash light construction when thebattery is inserted.

It will be seen from this description that the cup shaped member l isprovided with a battery cushioning device and a rectangular rivetconstruction which maintains the contact member always in place in theaxial line and at the same time prevents the breakage of the bulbs.Also, that the Cup shaped member may be readily removed and replacedwhen desired. 21 designates the usual metallic head piece which issecured to the casing 1 and formed with a thread to receive the threadbezel ring 22 that retains the lens 23 in place.

The bottom 5 of the cup shaped member 4; is formed with an opening 5which receives the socket member 9 and the flange 10 is located on theinner surface of the bottom 5.

Referring to the construction shown in Fig. 10. 24 designates a casingmember which is formed of metal instead of fibre as shown in Fig. 1. Thecup shaped mem ber 25 is formed with its edge slightly tlattened asindicated at 27 in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 in order that it may be inserted inthe hook or bent over end 28 of the metallic strip which extends alongthe inside of the met l casing 24, and is insulated from the ca 24 bymeans of the insulation 3). A. able switch, not shown, is understood tobe included in the strip 29. Located between the metal casing 24 and themetallic strip 29 and the side 6 of the metallic cup shaped member 25 isa sleeve of insulating material 30. 31 is a ring or gasket of insulatingmaterial which rests upon the upper end of the metal casing 24: and theupper edge of the lnetal cup 25 and insulates the cup from the casing.The circuit through the lamp is as follows; battery terminal 3, to thedepression 13 in strip 13, through the lamp filament, socket- 9, cup 5,strip 29 to the other terminal of the battery.

What I claim is:

1. In a flashlight construction, in combination with a battery inclosingmember, a reflector member, a metallic cup shaped member formed with aflange portion which is located between the end of the battery inclosingmember and the reflector for engaging one end of the casing reflectormember, said cup shaped member having a battery contacting cushioningdevice attached to its metallic bottom portion, means for attaching thecushioning device to the cup shaped member to prevent its being movedout of its normal position relative to the axial line of the casing,said cushioning device being substantially V- shaped with one portion ofwhich serves as a battery terminal contact and the other as a lampterminal contact.

2. A metallic cup shaped member for flash lights having an opening toreceive a lamp socket in its bottom portion and a rectangular shapedrivet receiving opening, a battery cushioning and contact device formedwith a rectangular shaped opening, insulating washers located on theopposite sides cat the bottom of the cup shaped member and formed withrectangular shaped openings, the contact device being located on thelower insulating washer, whereby when a rectangular shaped rivet isinserted through the said rectangular shaped openand headed over, thecushioning and contact device is prevented from being displaced byturning on the rivet as a center.

3, In a flashlight construction, in combi nation with a batteryinclosing casing, a metallic cup shaped member located in the outer endof the casing, a reflector member having opening, a threaded lamp socketin the opening, a bulb located in the socket, the threads of the socketserving for attaching the socket receiving bulb in the opening of thereflector, a battery cushioning and 'ial device substantially V-shapedand Laying one end attached to and below the tom of the cup shapedmember by means rectangular shaped rivet and its other ind being formedwith a depression which is in engagement with the terminal of thebattery.

A. flashlight construct-ion comprising in combination, battery casing, acup shaped member located in one end and closely fitting the interior ofthe casing, conducting material between the cup shaped member and aterminal of the battery, and electrically connected to the cup shapedmember, a V-shaped spring contact terminal attached to the said cup withwhich one terminal of a battery engages, and having a depression thereinfor engaging said terminal and an electric bulb mounted in the cupshaped member. 7 y

5. flashlight construction comprising a battery inclosing casing, ametallic cup shaped member insert-able in and filling an end of thecasing, a V-shaped cushion spring battery and lamp terminal contactdevice attached to the said cup member and insulated therefrom andhaving a depression therein for receiving a battery terminal, a lampsocket on the cup shaped member, an electric bulb attached to the saidsocket of the cup shaped member, a battery, and con ducting meansbetween the cup shaped member and the other t rminal of the battery.

JAMES L. SHANNON.

